Awards are not everything, but they do mean that someone took the time to assess your work and crack you the nod. So of course we took the opportunity to put ourselves forward for the African Beer Cup and were hoppin’ happy when we got nods from these guys! Their dedication to beer is an inspiration.

WHAT IS THE AFRICAN BEER CUP?

The African Beer Cup is an annual competition of the best beers currently a’brewing on the glorious, beer loving continent of Africa. If you’re interested in the judging standards, you will want to check out the ABC’s Infographic. This illustrates the ultimate 2015 BJCP guidelines used to judge the entrants.

Every beer in the African Beer Cup is judged twice, by two different panels of qualified beer judges and industry experts. This year the winners were announced at the annual Craft Brewers Powwow, a conference of brewsters held in Cape Town in May.

KINGS OF SA CRAFT BEERS ENTERED THE AFRICAN BEER CUP

Big ups to all the ripping beers who entered, you are all kings of the kegs!

Over 150 beers from 11 African countries were entered in the African Beer Cup. Brewers all over Africa answered the call to enter their top brews for possible inclusion in this prestigious award, and we were no exception.

DARLING BREW TOOK GOLD AT THE AFRICAN BEER CUP!

And Bronze. And Silver.

Darling Brew took home 5 ABC accolades, which was really a great honour. In fact, out of all the craft beers entered, this was the most wins garnered by one brewery. Not bragging, guys, just reporting. It is always a boost of great feeling  when others are as passionate about our recipes as us!

All in all, a great night for Darling Brew winning Craft Beers. These were our winners; click to find out more about each one.

  • Slow Beer: a rich, golden, extreme lager. BRONZE
  • Blood Serpent: a distinctive Czech-style export lager. BRONZE
  • Black Mist Orange: Link to be uploaded soon. This is our blacker-than-black, malt-forward beer… with a zing of delectable orange. SILVER
  • Gypsy Mask: an exceptionally smooth, spicy red ale. SILVER
  • Rogue Pony: an easy-drinking pale ale with a mild hop bitterness. GOLD

A BIT ABOUT DARLING BREW’S TRULY AFRICAN CRAFT BEER

We are African to the bone. To the Bone Crusher, in fact!

We are dyed-in-the-wool environmentalists. Since starting our microbrewery in 2010, each beer has been inspired by an endangered animal. Our inaugural beer, Slow Beer, is paired with the Geometric Tortoise. And the beers entered are also each paired with a striking African animal.

  • Blood Serpent: the Secretary Bird
  • Gypsy Mask: the Roan Antelope
  • Rogue Pony: the Plains Zebra
  • Black Mist: the Verreaux’s Eagle

DARLING BREW ABC AWARD-WINNING BEERS 2018

This is not our first time at the ABC rodeo. At the African Beer Cup 2018 our first-born, Slow Beer took a Silver, and that rugged old pal Bone Crusher grabbed a Gold.

WITH THANKS TO THE AFRICAN BEER CUP TEAM! CHEERS!

Gaining the recognition and accolades of the ABC is something we are very excited about. We know how much energy, passion and time goes into creating events such as these, so we want to raise our glasses in THANK YOU! To Lucy Corne, Shawn Duthie and their hardworking team, cheers to your brew-lliant initiative, and thank you for showcasing African beer talent

Lastly, thanks to Darling Brew Woodstock for hosting. The food, service and great ambiance lent this fantastic evening everything it needed to be an all-round memorable experience.

COME TASTE THE TOP IN SA CRAFT BEERS FOR  YOURSELF, AT THE DARLING WINTER BEER FESTIVAL ON JUNE 6!

Darling Brew brings you the 3rd Darling Winter Beer Fest. The day festival is rocking the friends and family party-vibes from 10am 06pm, with 7 brilliant breweries including Darling Brew.

There are also the outstanding bands Sunset Sweatshop and Jackal and the Wind. Food is plentiful, kids are welcome and fully catered for, and winter weather will never disturb as we party among the fermentation tanks.